Precast reinforced concrete members



May 13, 1947. A. HENDERSON 2,420,427 l PRECAvST REINFORCEJ. CONCRETE MEMBERS origial Filed may 11, ,1945 s sheets-smul MaYlB, 1947. A. HENDERSON 2,420,427

PREcAsT RE'INFORCED coNcgzETE MEMBERS original Filed uay 11 1945 s sheets-sheet 2 133 3.5 ,y 23 56 @5&9 34 a May 13, 1947 A. HENDERSON PRECAST REINFORCE CONCRETE MEMBERS Original Filed May l1, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IZQ.

Petented Mey 13, 1941 S PATENT OFFICE PRECAST REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS Albert Henderson, Edgewood, Pa., assigner to Y William P. Witherow, Pittsburgh, Pa..

original application May 11, 1945, serial No. 593,220. Divided and this application June 29, 194s, serial 10.602.326

.5Claims. l

This lnvenion relates to precast structural members of reinforced concrete and, in particular, to a simplied system of such members whereby many types of structures may be erected using a relatively small number of standard shapes. The several members are so designed that they are adapted to be made in diierent shapes to function as columns, girders, beams, joists and brackets. Some of the members, such as columns, girders and beams, may be hollow, providing space for the acommodation of pipe lines and electric conduit as Well as for the circulation of hot or cold air.

In order to make a system of precast structural members practical, satisfactory forms of connections between the various members are necessary. The lack of such connections is probably the reason for the relatively limited use of precast structural members heretofore. 'Ilo meet this requirement, I embed lengths of metal pipe in certain of the members such as girders, beams, joists and brackets. The pipe lengths are welded to reinforcing rods embedded in the members, thus imparting the necessary rigidity to the connections. The pipe lengths may also have relatively short metal anchor rods welded thereto for embedding in the members, extending parallel to the longitudinal reinforcing rods therein. By thus Welding the reinforcing rods and anchor rods to the pipe lengths, instead of relying on some other form cf tie, such as looping the rods around the pipe lengths, I obtain an extremelyv rigid bond between the pipe lengths and the concrete and avoid any danger of cracking of the A concrete adjacent the pipe lengths which would l through a pipe length in the other.

Members embodying my invention are in the last ofthe above groupings andl thus have an allowable shear stress several times that of members without anchorage of the longitudinal reinforcing rods.

The pipe lengths to which the rods are welded also aiord means to position the rods accurately in the forms and maintain them rigidly in position while pouring concrete.

I preferably employ pipe of a convenient size, such as ll/", for embedding in the members to provide the necessary connections. The pipe lengths are preferably positioned in the members so that their centers are substantially 2%" from the nearest surface of the member, thusproviding an adequate thickness of concrete to protect the pipe lengths from nre and corrosion.

The various types of members are made in several widths, each of which is an integral multiple of the width of the narrowest size. The member of the narrowest width has connections composed of one pipe length emedded therein. The members of greater widths have two pipe lengths embedded thereinior each connection. The center-to-center spacing between the pipe lengths of the members other than the smallest, increases by a distance equal tothe width of the latter. For example, if the width ol' the narrowest member of one type is 4", the next larger sizes are 8", 12" and 16". The 4" wide member has one pipe length embedded therein for each connection. The remaining members havev two pipe lengths embeddedvtherein for each connection. The center-to-center spacing of the pipe lengths in the 8" wide member is 3", in the 12" wide member 7 and in the 16" wide member 11".

The embedded pipe lengths permit adjacent members to be secured together by means of dowels embedded in one member and extending In some cases pipe lengths embedded in two or more members are disposed in alinement and a common bolt therethrough secures them together. As a further alternative, a nut may be embedded in one member and a bolt inserted through a pipe length in another member and threaded into the age of longitudinal steel 6 x 4. Beams with properly designed web reinlsrcement and with special anchorage of longitudinal steel 12 nut. In any case, the embedded pipe length serves as an essential element of the combination. In the case of columns, the longitudinal reinforcing rods project above the top of the co1- umn and pass through pipe lengths embedded in girders or beams. The space between the rods and the interior of the pipe lengths is then lled with grout. It is important that the embedded pipe lengths have definite positions in the members with respect to the reinforcing rods thereof. The outermost longitudinal-reinforcing rods in the girders and beams are substantially in alinement with the pipe lengths and the column-reinforcing rods are vsubstantially in line with the voids left by thejgpipe lengths in the girders and beams. The spacing of the longitudinal reinforcing rods of the various members is also such as to permit a pipe length of the desired size, e. g., 1%" inside diameter and substantially 2" outside diameter to pass between them. l'his is particularly important when a column 8" wide supports a girder or beam 12" wide, or a column 12" wide supports a girder or beam 16" wide. It is also important when brackets are used. Furthermore, the spacing between the longitudinal rods should allow a 1%" nut to be welded to two parallel longitudinal reinforcing rods.

The various precast concrete members (i. e., colmnns, girders, beams, etc.) having widths of 4", 8", 12" and 16" are made in various depths diifering by- 2". This applies to all the various shapes including brackets and permits the use of metal stirrups of the same width for a given width of column, girder, beam and brackets. 'I'he stirrups used for the size of members next larger than the minimum width can be also applied to members of larger widths. For example, two stin'ups may be used in the members 12" wide and three in the members 16" wide.

The member of minimum width 4", has one lower and one upper primary longitudinal reinforcing rod. The member of the next larger width, 8", has two similar rods, the 12" wide member three, and the 16" wide member four. This arrangement permits the rods nearest the side faces of the members substantially to abut the embedded pipe lengths and permits them to be welded thereto. An exception occurs when a pipe length lits b'etween two longitudinal reinforcing rods. In that case, the rods are welded to opposite sides of the pipe Passing therebetween. In some cases, a nut is welded to a reinforcing rod or a pipe length, This permits making a connection where a reinforcing rod and a pipe length lie in the same plane.

Ihe widths of the various members (4", 8", l2" and16") are integral multiples of the width of the smallest similar member and the widths and depths of the various members are appropriately related. Similarly, the depths of the `various members vary by a predetermined incre- 'bers by an amount which is an integral multiple of the increment of the widths of said sizes. Also A the longitudinal reinforcing rods adjacent the four corners of the members have their center to center spacing on the four sides of the members; differing by an integral multiple of the increment of the depths of the members. That is,

the reinforcing members in an opposite face have a dierence in the center to center spacing from the other rod members which is an integral mul- These 4 inthewidthofthememtlple of the diiference bers also be provided on concretecolumn shafts, their widths being related to the widths of the members and the anchor bolt holes being spaced in relation to the spacing of the longitudinal reinforcing rods oi the members.

In au the members, the centers of the iongitudinal reinforcing rods nearest the, surfaces of the members are spaced substantially the same distance therefrom, 21/2". Where the connections involve bolts, the heads thereof or the nuts threaded thereon may be embedded below the surface of the membersand then mortared over ,for protection against lire and corrosion. As an alternative, a precast concrete cover may be applied `to the nut or bolt heads for'protection. This is desirable when erection proceeds during cold weather to eliminate the freezing of mortar applied in the field.

Nuts or pipes embeddedr in some of the members for securing tie4 means have anchors also embedded in the members andV welded to the nuts and, pipes. 'I'he concrete bond to the anchors is strong enough to substantially resist the shear stresses, of the tie means.

This construction vdepends upon the relation of. the spacing between the reinforcing rods V of the members of various sizes and the location of holes therein with respect to'said'rods and the relation between the various brackets and splice plates with respect to the reinforcing rods and also tie means embeddedtherein, the members being secured together by bolts or dowels whose ends in many cases require protection from weather and'iire by precast covers. The lshear value of the tie means must not be greater than the bond of the concrete'to anchors welded rto the `pipe or nuts embedded. in centers of the members.' All of these members have a definite mechanical relation one to the other.

Furtherdetails, novel features and advantages of my invention will become apparent during the following complete description which refers to the accompanying drawings.

Inthe drawings: y I 4 y Figures l through 3 are horizontalsections through the shafts oi column members of various dimensions showing the bases yin plan;`

Figures l through 6 are side elevationsl of the columns; Q

'Figures '7 through 10 are partial plan `views'of the ends of members such as joists or beams;

Figures 11 through 14 are transverse sections therethrough;

Figure 15 is a sectional view showing a column supDOrting the ends of a pair of girders;

vFigure' 16 is a view-partly in section and partly in elevation showing a modified connection between a column, girders and beams;

Figures 17 and 18 are sectionalrviews through a column and girder showing the connection therebetween; A

Figures 19 and 20 are a sectional view and member secured thereto;

Figure 21 is a sectional view of a column having a further modified form of bracket;

Figure 22 is a section through a column having a different form of bracket connection;

Figure 23 is a sectional view of a column having a still further form f bracket connection;

Figures 24 through 26 are sectional views showing further modified column and girder assemblies;

Figures 27 through 29 show the cooperation between the columns and the `beams supported thereon; and

Figure 30 is a transverse section through a composite column composed of two or more precast members secured together side-by-side.

Figures 1 through 6 show precast members 22, 23 and 2B adapted to serve as columns. These members have integral bases '25 all having the same outside dimensions and height with anchor bolt holes 26 therethrough located on center lines which are the same distance apart in both directions in all the members. Reinforcing rods 21 are embedded in the shaft and `base Yof each column and project outwardly above the upper end thereof. The bases may conveniently be 24" square and 12" high. The spacing of the anchor bolt holes may conveniently be 18" in both directions. This arrangement of common widths, depths and hole spacings simplies both the design of a building and the field work incident toits erection.

The Ashaft of column 22 is preferably 8" x 8", that of the column 23, 12" x 12" and of the column 24, 16" x 16". Each of the columns may have one dimension of its shaft section increased by 2'.' steps (1" on each of two opposite sides) as illustrated in dotted lines. For instance, the column 22 may have a shaft 8" x 10, 8" x 12", 8"` x 14", etc., column 23, a shaft 12" x 14", 12" x 16" and so on. The rods 21 of the column 22 are positioned on center lines 21/2" inwardly from the faces of the column-shaft and are 3" apart. The rods of the column 23 are similarly disposed relative to the column faces and are thus on centers 7 apart. Likewise the rods of column 24 are on centers 11" apart. `As one dimension of the section of the column shaft is increased, the spacing of the rods in that direction is correspondingly increased, thus maintaining the rods the same distance from the faces of the column shaft in all sizes. The bars 21 have stirrups 28 spaced therealong. The same stirrups may be used for joists, beams and girders having the same sectional dimensions as the column shafts. For example, the stirrups used in the beam -I1 (Figures 8 and 12) are the same as those used in the column 22.

Figure '1 shows a precast concrete member I0, preferably 4 wide, which may be a post, girder, beam, joist or the like. If a beam, the mem-ber has upper and lower longitudinal reinforcing rods II and I2 embedded therein-with stirrups I3 extending aroundthe rods, as shown in Figure 11.

A pipe length M is embedded vertically in the' member adjacent each end and is welded to the rods Il and I2. The meiner Ill may conveniently be of any desired length and depth. The pipe length I4 preferably has an inside diameter of 11/2" but in some cases smaller diameter pipe is used. The vertical hole through themember at each end provided by the embedded pipe length is adapted to receive a dowel extending from another member, such as a. column supporting the beam I8. The space between the dowel and the interior of the pipe is filled with grout or other outer reinforcing rods.

bonding material, and a rigid permanent connection therebetween is thus obtained.

Figures 8 and 12 show a member I1 similar to that of Figure 1 except that it is twice as wide, e. g., 8", and has two upper and two lower reinforcing rods around which stirrups lh extend, and two pipe lengths I4 embedded in each end. Corresponding parts are designated by the same numeral as in Figure l. The pipe lengths are .preferably positioned on centers 21/2 inwardly from the sidev faces of the member and substan` tially 3" apart; The spacing of the reinforcing rods is preferably such as to permit a 11/2" pipe `to pass therebetween.

Figures 9 and 13 show the arrangement of the reinforcing rods and pipe lengths in a member I8, three times as wide as the member I 0 and having two or three upper and three lower reinforc- -ing rods around which stirrups I3b extend. The

The center-to-center spacing of pipe lengths I9 is substantially 3 and they could receive longitudinal reinforcing rods projecting above an 8" column whose centers are also substantially 3" apart. A

Figures 10 and 14 show a. member 20 four times the width of the member Hl, having two or more upper and four lower reinforcing rods around which stirrups I3c extend, and pipe lengths embedded therein. The pipe lengths, as in the members I0 and I1, have their centers spaced 2l/2" inwardly from the side faces of the member and 11" apart. They are welded to the Figures 11 through 14 show that the beams Il), I1, I8 and 20 may be of various'depths, increasing by increments of 2, e. g., 4 x 4", 4" x 6", 4H x 8u; 8H X 8,1;8" X 10H, 8H X 12H; 12H x 12". 12" x 14"-, 12" x 16"; 16" x 16", 16" x 18", 16" x 20" and so on. Crossbars 29 are embedded in the ends of beams I8 and 28 and are welded to the pipe lengths I4 and to the reinforcing rods between those adjacent the side faces. This firmly bonds the concrete at the end of the beam to the pipe lengths. The difference between the vertical spacing of the rods in successive sizes of members is a multiple ofthe difference -between the depths of such sizes.

Figure 15 illustrates a column-and-girder connection and shows the column construction in somewhat greater detail. A column such as that shown at 23 is secured to a field-cast footing 36. Anchor bolts 31 embedded therein project upwardly through the holes 26 in the column base which are formed by lengths 38 of 2" pipe embedded therein. The pipe lengths 38 are welded to stirrups 39 embedded in the column base. Protective covers 40 of reinforced concrete are apend of the column 23. The top faces of the y 7 beams 8 may be notched from the upper ends of the pipe lengths |4 to the vertical end faces placed in position. A mat of asbestos 42 impreg nated with cement in powder form when made. is wetted and disposed on top of the column before the beams I 8 are placed thereon. The cement sets and forms a gasket with the asbestos mat insuring a good bearing for the beams on the column. Mats 42 are made in various sizes and punched with holes4 for the rods 21 to match the different sizes of columns. A layer of grout 48 is applied to the footing 88 before the column is set thereon. These gaskets also are' made for the various sizes of brackets.

Figure 16 shows a column, such as 22, supporting a beam 20' similar to the beam 28 but having four pipe lengths embedded therein adjacent each end. The reinforcing rods 21 of the column extend upwardly through the inner pipe lengths i4 embedded in the end of the beam. Outer pipe lengths |4 embedded in the end of the beam accommodate bolts 18 securing floor slabs 18 to the beam. The slabs 18 are provided with pipe lengths 88 embedded therein through which the bolts 18 .pagg

Figure 17 shows a 12" wide beam i8 resting therethrough between the reinforcing rods thereof and welded thereto. The bracket |84 has nuts |88 welded to the end and one side of a reinforcing bar embedded therein. Bolts |88 inserted through the pipe lengths are threaded into these nuts, thus firmly anchoring the bracket to the column.

Figure 21 shows a bracket |89 secured to a column 22 by bolts |48 inserted throughalined pipe lengths embedded in the two members. 'I'lie bracket |89 has dowels |4| extending upwardly therefrom adapted to enter the pipe lengths embedded in the ends of a beam or girder and spaced appropriately for that purpose.

Figure 22 shows a column like that shown at 28 with reinforcing rods, as shown in the member I8 of Figure 9, and a bracket |88a similar to that shown at |39. The column has double-length nuts |88 therein welded to the reinforcing rods and having embedded anchor rods |42 threaded thereinto. Bolts inserted through the pipe lengths embedded in the bracket and welded to the reinforcing rods therein are threaded into nuts. The bracket |89a has dowels similar to those of the bracket |89.

Figure 23 shows a hollow column 28 having a bracket |48 secured thereto by bolts |88 turned into nuts |88 welded to the reinforcing rods in the column. The pipe lengthsv |88 embedded in the bracket are welded to the reinforcing rods thereof. The bracket |48, being 12" wide. is adapted to support a beam |8 and the dowels |4| are adapted to extend into the pipe lengths embedded in the beam. The column 28 in Figure 2 3 has a central longitudinal void to provide a duct for air or pipe lines.

Figure 24 shows a 24" wide column 24 supporting three 8" wide beams l1. A column 28 rests on the beams. The reinforcing rods of the columns are on centers substantially 2%" from the sides thereof and the same is true of the pipe lengths embedded in the beams and column bases. Thus the reinforcing rods of the column 24 register with the pipe lengths embedded in the beams and in the base of the column 28.

Figure 25 similarly shows a 24" wide column l rods of the column.` A column 28 resting on the girders has its embedded pipe lengths registering with those in the girders so the reinforcing rods of the column 24 may extend upwardly therethrough. Figure 28 shows a 24" wide column 24 supporting an 8" wide beam |1 and 16" wide beam 20 of the same depth. A column 28 rests on the beams. The pipe lengths embedded in the beams register with those in the column 28 and with the reinforcing rods in the column 24, whereby the latter may project upwardly there ough.

Figures 27 through 29 show the relation between the widths of the membersand the identity of the spacing of the embedded pipe lengths in the opposed beams with that of the reinforcing rods in the columns. In Figure 27 a column 22 Y supports beams I1. If the column 22 is 8 x 8", the reinforcing rods being o'n centers 2%" inwardlyfrom the faces of the column, these centers are substantially 3" apart. 'I'he same is true of the pipe lengths in the adjacent ends-of the beams, allowing a slight space between said ends as shown. The column may also be 8" x 12" or 8" x 16" for correspondingly wider beams but the proper relation exists in all cases to permit the pipe lengths in the beams to accommodate the projecting ends of the lreinforcing rods of the column. Figure 28 shows a4 column 28 supporting beams I1 with a beam Il therebetween of the same depth as the latter, the column being 12" wide and the beam I8 being 4" wide. The pipe lengths in the ends of the beams I1 still register with the outside reinforcing rods in the column as shown. The pipe lengths embedded in the beam I0, furthermore, register with the intermediate reinforcing rods of the column. The

distance between the centers of the outside column reinforcing rods is substantially 7" and the same spacing exists between the center lines of the pipe lengths in the beams l1.

Figure 29 shows a column 24 supporting beams |1 with a similar beam |1a therebetween. Since the column 24 is 16" wide, and the width of the beam |1a is 8". the outside column reinforcing rods which are spaced on 11" centers matches the pipe lengths in the ends of the beams I1. The inside column reinforcing rods, being spaced on 3" centers, match the pipe lengths embedded in the ends of the beams |1a.

Figure 30 shows a composite column made up of a column 24' flanked on one side by a column 22' and on the other by a column 28'. These co1- umns are similar to those shown at 22,28 and 24 but are without integral bases. This arrangement is useful in such cases as a factory aisle. In such locations the column 24' carries the main load, the columns 28 carry crane runways and the column 22' a mezzanine floor. Bolts |58 are' amasar inserted through pipe lengths welded to the reinforcing rods of' the columns 22 and 2d' as shown and are threaded into nuts 38 embedded in the columnas' and welded to reinforcing rods thereof. Similarly, bolts 56 secure the column 23' to the column 2d y It will be apparent from the foregoing description and explanation that my invention provides a complete system of integrated reinforced concrete structural members of various dimensions, the several types of units having their reinforcing rods similarly disposed, in corresponding sizes, whereby connections between adjacent members may readily-be established by means of the embedded pipe lengths welded to the reinforced rods and dowels or bolts extending therethrough and into other members. I thus provide a, system embodying a relatively few standard units, such as columns, girders, beams, brackets. pipe, splice plates and the like, which can be made in various sizes differing from Veach other by standard increments of width, thickness and depth. All these members may accordingly be cast in the same molds and stirrups of the same dimensions may be used with the reinforcing rods of various types of members in corresponding sizes The connections provided for securing adjacent members together may be easily made and provide a rigid anchorage of each member to the others. This results from the welding of the pipe lengths to the reinforcing rods and the filling of the space between the interior of the pipe lengths and dowels or bolts extending therethrough with grout, thereby preventing any looseness of shifting of the members. The connections between beams or girders and columns, furthermore, are adapted particularly for transmitting shear load directly to the column reinforcing rods.

The asbestos gasket disposed on top of the pipes may be used where they have suiiicient section to support the load applied. Smaller pipe may also be used particularly in the brackets in order to maintain the desired thickness of concrete around them in all directions. The area between the bolts and inside of the pipes may be filled with grout or the bolts may have a snug nt in the pipes. Other filling material may be used, such as sulphur or other molten material.

Although I have illustrated'several preferred embodiments with modifications, it will be apparent that changes in the details disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

The present application is a divisional applicationv of my application Ser. No. 593,220, filed May 11, 1945, entitled Precast reinforced concrete members, now Patent 2,396,045.

Iclaim:

1. In a building construction comprising a plurality of precast reinforced concrete members of rectangular sections whose widths increase progressively by a uniform increment, spaced longitudinal reinforcing bars embedded in each memy ber adjacent a side thereof, a member of any column or bracket before placing girders or beams A thereon insures full bearing and uniform distribution of the load despite slight imperfections in the adjacent surfaces. 'I'he nut covers provide ample protection against fire and corrosion v for the nuts and heads of the bolts used in the connection.

The spacing between centers of the reinforcing rods and also the embedded pipe lengths varies between the members of different widths by the same increments as the widths themselves. In all the members, the reinforcing rods and embedded pipe lengths have their centers spaced the same distances substantially from the adjacent surfaces of the members. This brings the reinforcing rods and embedded pipe lengths of meeting members in the same plane and makes for simplicity in the connections therebetween.

The total section of the reinforcing rods embedded in members of various widths also varies as the widths themselves, i. e., a member 4" wide will have one tension reinforcing rod, a,

member 8" wide will have two, a member 12" wide will have three and a member 16" wide will have four. In the case of columns, only the outside rods would be used in most-'cases The use of 11/2" pipe for the embedded pipe lengths permits the accommodation therein of rods of square section up to a maximum size of 1%" on a side. The actual inside diameter of 1%" pipe is practically 15/8" and its outside diameter approximately 2". This permits 11/2 bolts to be inserted through the pipe lengths for making connections although smaller bolts and width having one more longitudinal reinforcing bar than the next narrower member, and said reinforcing bars being so spaced in their respective members that the bars of a member of any width substantially coincide with the centers of the `spaces between the bars of the next widermember, tie means transversely disposed between the bars in a narrower member being secured to at least one of the bars in the next wider member, said narrower and nextwider members being assembled in centrally abutting relation to each other.

2. A building construction comprising a plu-7 rality of precast reinforced concrete members of different widths and rectangular cross-section including a first member and a second member, spaced longitudinal reinforcing bars embedded in each of said members and adiacent a side thereof, the reinforcing bars inthe first member being so spaced that they substantially coincide with the centers of the spaces between the reinforcing bars in said second member, and tie means disposed transversely between said bars in said second member engaging one of saidbars in said :first member, said two members being assembled in centrally abutting relation to each other.

3. A building construction comprising a. plurality of precast reinforced concrete members of different Widths and rectangular cross-section, including a first member and a second member. spaced longitudinal reinforcing bars embedded in each of said members adjacent a side thereof, the reinforcing bars in said first member being so spaced that they substantially coincide with the centers of the spaces between the reinforcing bars in said second member, ,the reinforcing bars in said first member extending beyond an end thereof and through the second member centrally between the bars thereof to form a tie means, said two members being 'assembled in centrally abutting relation to each other.

4. A building construction comprising a plurality of precast reinforced concrete members of rectangular cross-section including a first mem'- ber and a second member having different widths, said mst member having two spaced longitudinal reinforcing bars embedded therein adjacent a side thereof and projecting from one end thereof, said 11 second member having embedded therein three equally spaced longitudinal reinforcing bars adjacent a side thereof, holes in said second'member disposed transversely ot and centrally ,be-

`tween said three bars. the spacing or saidbars in said iirst member substantially coinciding with the centers or the spaces between the bars in said second member, the projecting ends of the bars of the iirst member coinciding with and extending into said holes in the second member, 10

said two members being assembled in centrally abutting relationtoeach other.

5. A building construction comprising a plurality of precast reinforced concrete members or diirerent widths and rectangular, cross-section 15 1,259,393

including a iirst member and a second member, said two members being assembled in centrally abutting relation to each other, spaced longitudinal reinforcing bars embedded in each of said members adjacent a side thereof, said reinforcing bars in said first member being so spaced that they substantially coincide with the centers of the spaces between the said reinforcing bars in said second member, and spaced tie means dis. posed transversely between said bars in said secnaar ond member said tie means projecting from. coinciding with and coacting with said bars embedded in said first member. u

ALBERT HENDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

